Sony Buys Spec Script About Santa Claus' Origin, Based on Wizard of Oz Writer's Book

If a character is in the public domain, they’re not safe from a film adaptation. That includes Santa Claus -- Sony Pictures has just closed a deal for spec script about Santa Claus’ origins (with a tinge of Viking mythology), based on a book from the author of The Wizard of Oz.

Deadline reports that the Christmas-set origin film, titled Winter’s Knight (based on 1902’s The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum), will be written by industry newcomers Ben Lustif and Jake Thornton.

Marc Platt (Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, Drive) and Lawrence Grey (Last Vegas) will produce the film. Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg (the up-and-coming directors of Kon-Tiki fame) are set to helm the project.

According to Deadline, Sony Pictures President Michael De Luca led the charge to hire Ronning and Sandberg, as part of an initiative to “bring in the next generation of emerging filmmakers.” While at New Line in the ‘90s, De Luca helped to foster the careers of David Fincher and Paul Thomas Anderson.

First, Ronning and Sandberg will direct Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (expected for 2016) and shoot the pilot for the Netflix/Weisnstein Company series Marco Polo.

Could a Christmas story launch some filmmakers into the mainstream? It certainly worked out for Jon Favreau with Elf.

Anthony Couto is a writer for IGN. Batman Returns is his higher power. Follow him on Twitter at @AnthCouto or on IGN at TonyCouto.